Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj has joined Leeds United on a month long loan the official Major League Soccer website reports.

The 22-year-old American born defender has made five Premier League appearances for Villa this season and is believed to be an integral part of their plans for the future.

Lichaj has twice been capped at International level for the United States and has also had loan spells at Lincoln City in 2009 and Leyton Orient in 2010.

The deal seems to be in reaction to Paul Connolly’s injury last weekend. With the Whites short on cover at right-back, Lichaj is likely to go straight into the starting line-up for the trip to Bristol on Saturday.

Update

The deal has now been confirmed by both Leeds United and Aston Villa.